Complements No, not the kind where you say something nice about someone else.

A complement is a word or a word group that completes the meaning of a verb. IncompleteMarlene brought. (what?) CompleteMarlene brought sandwiches. IncompleteCarlos thanked. (whom?) CompleteCarlos thanked her. IncompleteWe were. (what?) CompleteWe were hungry.

**A complement can be a noun, a pronoun, or an adjective.** **A complement answers the following questions: WHAT? WHO? WHOM? Remember…

There are 4 types of Complements Direct Object Indirect Object Predicate Nominative Predicate Adjective follow action verbs follow linking verbs Action verbs are verbs like run, think, walk, dream, see, play, have, has Linking verbs include am, is, are, was, were, seems, appears, becomes, grows, feels

Action Verb vs. Linking Verb Some verbs can be both action verbs and linking verbs: How can you tell the difference? taste, sound, appear, grow, feel, remain, stay, look Substitute a “to be” verb (am, is, are, was, were) for the original verb. If the sentence’s meaning remains the same, then the original verb is a linking verb. If the meaning changes, then the original verb is an action verb. Betty tasted the pudding. The pudding tasted sweet. Betty WAS the pudding. The pudding WAS sweet. The second sentence contains the linking verb.

**An adverb is never a complement.** The dog is outside. The dog is friendly. **A complement is never part of a prepositional phrase.** Ben is studying for his geography test. Ben is studying his geography notes. Remember…

Nominative Case Pronouns - used as subjects and predicate nominatives SingularPlural First PersonIwe Second Personyou Third Personhe, she, itthey This case is also sometimes called the noun case.

Objective Case Pronouns - used as direct objects, indirect objects, objects of preposition SingularPlural First Personmeus Second Personyou Third Personhim, her, itthem

Possessive Case Pronouns - used to show possession The words my, our, your, her, their are sometimes called pronouns, but they are actually possessive adjectives SingularPlural First Personmineours Second Personyours Third Personhis, hers, itstheirs

1. Cross out the prepositional phrases. 2. Locate the verb. 3. Find the subject. 4. Find the complement that receives the action or identifies the subject. If you have difficulty identifying complements - Now go and use your knowledge for good! May the schwartz be with you!